SPrKL
The Society for the Protection of Kalamalka Lake Winter 2010 Issue #3
Kalamalka Lake Resolutions for a Happy 2010
In this Issue Kalamalka Lake Resolutions SPKL Supports a Slow Zone The lagoon at Cosens Bay What have we done? ‘Kalamalka’ …means what? Contact us
To change our colors when we need to; To patiently wait for the turning of Spring; To accept that we are part of something much bigger than ourselves; To give the best of what we are in order to nourish others, and To precipitate out the bad and allow clarity to remain.
“Be the lake…”
SPKL supports a Zone of Respect! In order to encourage respect for Kalamalka Lake and all its users, SPKL supports enforcement of a100 meter slow zone along the perimeter of the Lake. In this “Zone of Respect”, personal watercraft activities such as chasing, jumping and “figure-eighting”, etc. will be prohibited and all watercraft will be required to travel no faster than 10km/hr. This will provide swimmers, beach-goers, paddlers, rowers, fishers, residents, and local wildlife a safer, quieter and more pleasant experience on and around the lake. Further, the resulting reduction of turbidity levels along the shoreline will improve conditions for spawning fish. Motorized boats will continue to enjoy speedier activities such as water-skiing, wake-boarding, tubing, etc., on the majority of the lake’s surface outside of the Zone of Respect.
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SPKL believes in sharing our precious resource!
SPrKL Winter 2010
The 2500 year old Lagoon at Cosens Bay Cosens Bay lagoon is located just east of the beach at Cosens Bay on Kalamalka Lake. In April 1983 the Water Management Branch of the Ministry of Environment wrote the Cosens Bay Lagoon Study. The purpose of the Study was to assess the affects of a park development proposal on the lagoon. Geology, ecology, water quality and plant ecology in and around the lagoon were examined. Results of this study provided evidence to the age and uniqueness of the lagoon. Geological studies of the lagoon indicated that it was created after the last ice age by longshore drift building a bar across an embayment on the shoreline of Kalamalka Lake. Water input into the lagoon is by precipitation, ground water seepage and intermittent surface water flow from Red Hawthorn Creek. There is no surface outflow. Water is lost through evaporation, transpiration and ground water flow into Kalamalka Lake. The lagoon is subject to rapid water level fluctuations and was recorded as dry in 1979.
The lagoon as seen from above (2005).
The lagoon in 1983.
Mt. St. Helens Ash.
A bathymetric (depth and contour) survey of the lagoon was completed and several sediment cores were taken from the deepest area of the lagoon. The deepest section of the longest core revealed a layer of volcanic ash. The volcanic ash layer coincided with a Mt St. Helen’s eruption about 3200 years ago indicating the lagoon’s approximate age. Core analysis showed that the sedimentation rate in the lagoon is a slow 0.17mm per year. Sediments include decayed organic matter of mostly aquatic plants. Water quality in the lagoon was determined to be eutrophic (nutrient rich and highly turbid) and highly variable due to changes in water levels. Because of these changes and the presence of an abundance of emergent vegetation, the lagoon was classified as being in its final successional stage from pond to terrestrial habitat. However, due to the slow sedimentation rate, the lagoon will likely remain in this stage for many years to come. 2
SPrKL Winter 2010
SPKL 2009 Summary of Activities: Look at all we’ve done!! StartStart-up: •Acquired Board of Directors and established mission statement, goals and objectives •Registered as a Society and established liaison with BC Lake Stewardship Program •Acquired members – approx. 100 and registered for status as a charity, and •Set up a tentative schedule of executive and general meetings. •Planned activities
Educational: •Members learned how to measure variations in water clarity using a secchi dish, and to monitor temperature variations of Kalamalka Lake •Posted on the Coldstreamer Blog suggestions for Earth Day activities to help prevent pollution from entering the storm drainage system •Consulted with Rick Wishart, specialist in Wetland Management, concerning clean-up and revitalization of the Kalavista Lagoon •Set up an educational display at the Eco Fair, where we were nominated for a Water Stewardship Award •Designed, produced and put up posters to educate lake users about the fact Kal Lake is a drinking water reservoir •Distributed Transport Canada Boat Safety info at the north end boat launches, July 1 and May long weekend; •Displayed info featuring the wonders of Kalamalka Lake, boating safety, and water conservation at the Sunshine Festival in downtown Vernon •Provided volunteer experience and information for two university students who, among other things organized and presented SPKL display materials at various events •Liaised with the Safe Communities unit of the RCMP and organized a group of Kal Lake residents to learn about and participate in the Lake Watch Program •Published and distributed the SPrKL Newsletter and set up the SPKL Website •Set up an educational booth at Kin Beach on Rivers Day Sept 27/09;
Fund Raising: Raising: •Applied for a Unilever-Evergreen Aquatic Stewardship and Conservation Grant for Kal Lagoon clean-up •Organized a raffle of the Kalamalka Quilt of Many Colours designed and created by SPKL member, Linda Garrett and won by Bill Martin •Held First AGM at Womens Institute Hall Sept27/09 •Applied for Eco Action Funding to restore the lower reaches of Coldstream Creek beginning April 2010 and received promised monetary and in-kind support from Coldstream Council
Political: •Organized a petition for, and wrote a protest letter to Lake Country opposing development of a 200-400 slip boat launch on Wood Lake •Wrote letters of concern to all three levels of government regarding Silver Star effluent run-off and its implications for Coldstream Creek and Kalamalka Lake drinking water, resulting in further action by Coldstream Council •SPKL members, Trina Koch and Penny Salt were appointed to the Coldstream Environmental Advisory Committee and member Flo Ryan was appointed to the Coldstream Kalavista Advisory Committee
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SPrKL Winter 2010
‘Kalamalka’ What does it really mean? The current popular belief is that Kalamalka is a native word meaning lake of many colors. Although we couldn’t find any references to where that belief originated, it seems very unlikely to be true. The first traditional reference we find is the native name Chelootsoos meaning long lake cut in the middle, reference to Wood and Kalamalka as one lake. In the late 1800’s the lake was commonly known as Long Lake. That name was made official in January of 1922 then officially changed to Kalamalka in 1951. The intriguing question is where did the word Kalamalka come from? Investigations on-line, at the Vernon Museum and in literature have revealed a variety of possibilities creating more questions than answers.
What does Kalamalka mean Dad?
It certainly doesn’t mean lake of many colors….
In a number of letters written by local historians in the 50’s we find many references to and Indian chief known as Tanamalka or Kalamalka living at or near the head of the lake. In 1892 the big Hotel in Vernon adopted the name Kalamalka. It is likely that the push to rename the lake may have been a simple marketing plan from as early as the 1920’s. The local radio station began referring to the lake as Kalamalka and the people of Vernon naturally accepted it as much more colorful name than Long Lake. There are also a number of references to a Hawaiian origin. The encyclopedia of British Columbia speaks of Hawaiian recruits of the fur trade marrying First Nations women and the possibility of Chief Kalamalka or Tanamalka getting his name from such a connection. The dates appear to make sense as the Polynesian workers were employed early in the 1800’s. Like so much of history there seems to be a lot of room for interpretation. We would love to hear from anyone having more information on the origins of this unique word. How can you become involved in SPKL?
Become a member for only $15.00! Family memberships are $25.00. Attend meetings, help fund-raise, take sechi depth measurements, design posters, or help us clean-up our creeks.
Contact us at info@spkl.ca, we want to hear your ideas!
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